A total of 17 students from Sheboygan North High and South High visited China during the spring break. For 10 days, the group visited Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nanjing in Central China before traveling by high-speed bullet train to Beijing in the north.

Highlights included: The Bund waterfront in Shanghai, Suzhou's famous canals and gardens, Purple Mountain and Ming Tombs in Nanjing, and the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace in Beijing.

​South High Principal Kevin Formolo ​also attended the trip.

"It was awesome to be a part of this trip and to see the students engage in an experience where they were given a much deeper understanding of the Chinese culture and language. Getting an up close look at the cultural roots and historical events allowed the students to gain deeper appreciation for the Chinese Culture and Language," Formolo said. "The students and adults had their perceptions of what it means to be Chinese challenged in a very positive way, gaining a new perspective for comparison, in which the people of China have so many similarities to those of the people of America.

"For all students learning a second language, immersion experiences are key to grasping the culture, tone and volume of the language being learned."

Lakeland University to hold band, choir and jazz concerts

The Lakeland University music department has several end-of-term performances coming up. All performances are in the Bradley Theatre on Lakeland’s main campus, and admission is free.

The LU Concert Band will perform a program entitled “Song of the Wind and Waves” on Tuesday, April 24, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The program is built around music inspired by the majesty of seas, lakes and rivers, and the way they tie us to the land.

It features “Pale Blue on Deep” by Aaron Perrine and “Highlights from Riverdance” arranged by Johann de Meij, as well as works Ralph Vaughan Williams, Frank Ticheli, and Chen Yi, which creatively blend sounds of Scotch/Irish folk song and Chinese traditional music with the capabilities of the modern wind band.

The LU Concert Choir will present its spring concert on Sunday, April 29, beginning at 3 p.m. The choir will be performing highlights from its recent spring tour, and welcoming guest chorus, the Gesangverein Concordia of Sheboygan, led by Frederick Strassburger. They’ll be teaming up to perform pieces in the German language.

The LU jazz ensemble will perform Monday, April 30, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The jazz ensemble offers programs with both jazz standards and more contemporary numbers. This program includes classics such as “I've Got the World on a String” and “Blue Skies” as well as tunes by legendary artists such as Irving Berlin, Johnny Mandel, Don Menza and Sammy Nestico.

LTC named to Military Friendly Schools List

Lakeshore Technical College has been named to the Military Friendly Schools list for the ninth year in a row by Victory Media, a media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. LTC earned a Gold Award designation for scoring within 20 percent of the 10th-ranked school as well as a Pink Award designation for supporting military spouses. The 2017-18 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“We are immensely grateful for all who served in the military. LTC’s designation as Military Friendly for the ninth time shows students and the entire LTC service region our commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students and their spouses,” said Paul Carlsen, LTC president.

LTC routinely works with County Veterans Services, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal VA to ensure veterans have every available resource to be successful. At the state level, LTC processes National Guard Tuition Grant Applications, Retraining Grant Applications for veterans who are dislocated workers, and VetEd Reimbursement Grants. Through the Wisconsin GI Bill, veterans and their dependents are able to apply for tuition and material fee waivers. LTC also processes federal benefits for eligible veterans and dependents.

Savanna Elsbury of Random Lake High School was selected as the Sheboygan Elks Club Student of the Month.(Photo: Submitted)

Random Lake High student named Sheboygan Elks Club Student of the Month

Savanna Elsbury of Random Lake High School was selected as the Sheboygan Elks Club Student of the Month. Elsbury was awarded a plaque and a check for $100 from the Elk's Club. Elsbury was selected for this honor due to her scholastic achievement (4.104 cumulative GPA, has taken very rigorous coursework, including 7 Advanced Placement classes), National History Day national participation for her exhibit on dancer Martha Graham, her achievement in Wisconsin State Solo and Ensemble competition, National Honors Society leadership, and the community events that she participates in, such as showing dogs at AK competitions, leading her peers as president of the Zion United Methodist Youth Group, and working with others as assistant coach at In Motion Dance Studio. Elsbury plans to attend Carthage College to study marketing.

Plymouth High School recently inducted 20 new members into its chapter of the National Business Honor Society, to join 11 existing members.(Photo: Submitted)

Plymouth High inducts 20 new members into Business Honor Society

Plymouth High School recently inducted 20 new members into its chapter of the National Business Honor Society, to join 11 existing members.

The honor society is sponsored by the National Business Education Association, with chapters all over the United States. The PHS chapter, advised by PHS business teachers June Winkel and Todd Williams, was chartered in 2016 in order to give recognition to outstanding business students.

To be able to apply for membership, a student must be a high school junior or senior, have completed or be currently enrolled in his/her third semester of a business course, and have a grade-point average of 3.5 in business courses and 3.0 overall.